Park Place Motorcars Arlington Grand Opening Celebration

Park Place Dealerships recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Mercedes-Benz dealership at I-20 and Collins in Arlington. The fête attracted more than 750 guests, who also brought hundreds of toys to donate to the Boys & Girls Club of Arlington.

When we opened our first Mercedes-Benz dealership in 1987, we had 128 members (employees),” said Ken Schnitzer, chairman of Park Place Dealerships. “Today, we have more than 2,000 members across 18 dealerships. With the opening of Park Place Motorcars Arlington, our fourth Mercedes-Benz dealership in North Texas, we’ve added another 76 members and expect that number to grow.”

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The University of Texas at Arlington drumline lined the entrance to the new dealership as guests arrived, setting the tempo for a spirited evening.

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The party spread throughout the dealership and on to the service drive as guests mixed and mingled and sampled a variety of scrumptious fare from area restaurants, including Blue Mesa, the Melting Pot, Lombardi’s Taverna, Andalous Mediterranean Grill and Chamas do Brazil.

Libations ranged from classic Hendricks Gin and modern Reyka Solerno martinis to Krombacher beer and Robert Mondavi wines.

The Mercedes-Benz Club of America – Fort Worth Section brought several classic cars to the party, including a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet owned by Cecile & DJ de Jesus, which was prominently displayed in the new car showroom next to a 2016 AMG SL63 Retractable Hardtop Convertible.

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The Jennifer Baldwin Combo entertained guests with soothing jazz in one of the two new car showrooms.

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Guests glammed it up in the photo booth and savored frozen treats by Frost 321.   Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams set the stage for comfortable relaxation with custom seating  in The Star Lounge After-Party, featuring Drambuie cocktails and V-gars along with decadent desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes. DJ Andre had guests dancing into the night to classic hits and soul music.

Park Place Motorcars Arlington features two showrooms designed to showcase 16 new vehicles, a shop with 35 service bays and 10 make ready bays, as well as a beautiful client lounge and a private kids playroom. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz is introducing 10 new vehicles in the U.S.; including a new four-door mid-sized SUV, several new diesel models, a plug-in hybrid C-Class and a sleek new SLK roadster.

For more information about a new or pre-owned Mercedes-Benz, please contact:

Richard Wasson, New Car Sales Director at (817) 807-4811; RWasson@10.2.54.33

Joel Moss, Pre-Owned Sales Director at (817) 807-4812; JMoss@10.2.54.33

 

Friendly Competition Benefits Tarrant Area Food Bank

Nearly 2-tons of food were donated to the Tarrant Area Food Bank, thanks to the amazing efforts by the team at Park Place Motorcars FW. When General Manager George Johnson issued a challenge to his team members, they rose to the occasion. And George- well, he had to go shopping!

Two teams competed to see who can collect the most canned goods, and encourage others to do the same. As donations trickled in, George upped the ante: he’ll go out and buy enough canned goods to match all the donations.

That spurred an outpour of donations, with 1,819 food items collected. George was excited to go shopping! He brought in a heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van for the shopping trip.

It was off to the grocery store. Going through the aisles and loading the cart with boxes of canned goods, it looked a lot like the old TV show “Supermarket Sweep.”

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With help from the store associates and Park Place team members, they loaded up the Sprinter van.

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The Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth team delivered over THREE-THOUSAND pounds of food to the Tarrant Area Food Bank. 3,557 pounds or 1.78 tons to be exact.

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$50,000 Cash Left Behind in a Mercedes-Benz

Service technician Juan Ibarra was working on a Mercedes-Benz SL550, that Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth received as a trade-in, when he discovered a bag in the trunk. When he opened the bag he saw stacks of $100 bills.
I jumped back like I’d seen a snake,” said Ibarra. “My first thought was, ‘is this dirty money?’ I immediately took it to my service director. Nobody wanted to touch it. We didn’t even count it.

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Juan has always been a real ‘go-to’ guy,” said George Johnson, General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth. “He’s a man of the highest integrity. I’m very proud of him.”

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Juan Ibarra with Park Place Motorcars FW General Manager- George Johnson

It never even crossed my mind to take any of the money,” said Ibarra. “We just wanted to find out who the money belonged to and get it back to them.”

It took about a week before the owner was tracked down. Turns out he was a bail bondsman and the cash didn’t exactly belong to him either. The money was given to him for a bond. Needless to say, he was very relieved to get it back.

After counting the money, he confirmed that all $50,000 was accounted for and was thankful someone honest had found it.   “About a month later the guy came back with a nice card and some money in it,” said Ibarra. “The card was enough for me. He was very grateful.”

McIlveen Brings International Flair and Caring Heart to Auto Industry

Mariza McIlveen of Grand Prairie didn’t imagine a career in the automotive industry for herself. She started out in the hospitality industry working for luxury hotels. But she quickly found her passion was for helping people grow in their careers. “I was born and raised in Sri Lanka,” said McIlveen. “I went to high school in Singapore and college in Hawaii. I got into the hospitality field because my Dad was a pilot for Singapore Airlines, and he always pictured his little girl in the hotel business. I worked hotel operations for the first part of my career, and discovered that I enjoyed helping people grow. I would hire front desk agents and mentor them. Watching a few move on to do big things in their career, I decided I wanted to be in Human Resources. It gives me great pleasure to give people the chance to get into a great company and grow.”

during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas on September 27, 2015. (AP Photo/ Michael Ainsworth)

McIlveen started at Park Place Dealerships in 2014, and was recently named Human Resources Manager for the new Park Place Motorcars Arlington, which opened November 2, 2015. “I am a certified HR professional,” continued McIlveen. “My goal each day is to make sure that I have taken care of our members’ (employees) needs, and that I am available to lend a hand or ear. My goal is to create a fun work environment for the new dealership… to help it grow and be recognized for its ‘can do’ attitude.”

When asked what advice she would share with women considering a career in the automotive industry, McIlveen replied, “Everyone at Park Place is very respectful and I have never felt out of place. They’ve been eager to share their knowledge with me. We even have one of the first female Mercedes-Benz parts managers in Texas, and one of a very few in the country. Park Place offers ongoing training for our members to advance.”

Empowering women to succeed in the automotive industry is just one of many intriguing stories you’ll find among the “experts in excellence” at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

Park Place Tailgating Fun With Southlake-Carroll Dragons

Park Place Lexus and Motorcars Grapevine have been a proud sponsor of the Southlake-Carroll Dragons for 5-years. Carroll High School and the Dragons Football are near and dear to alum Matt Woolsey, Park Place Lexus Grapevine General Manager. We love tailgating with the amazing Dragons fans, and they get in on the fun as well.

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From weekly tailgating party giveaways to theme spirit nights, Park Place has our clients covered in true Southlake-Carroll fashion. From t-shirts to green flashing rings, the Dragon spirit is hard to miss.

Mike Roberts Southlake Carroll winner
Mike Roberts- largest tailgate party winner November 6, 2015

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Amy McBride- largest tailgate party winner November 13, 2015

Fun contests and scratch off tickets provide fun prizes from a free car wash to weekend use of a fun new Lexus or Mercedes-Benz.

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The Dirty Car Contest is always a hit and allows us to engage with the fans. While everyone’s tailgating, we drive around and find the dirtiest vehicle. It is then featured on the big screen during half-time and the owner walks away with a complimentary detail from Park Place Lexus and Motorcars Grapevine.

Don’t miss us at the next Southlake-Carroll game, you could win fun prizes! Happy tailgating, and Go Dragons!

For more information about a new or pre-owned Lexus or Mercedes-Benz, please contact:

Park Place Lexus Grapevine:

Charles Owen, New Car Sales Director at, (817) 416-3130; cowen3@10.2.54.33

Juan Puentes, Pre-Owned Sales Director at, (817) 416-3308; JPuentes@10.2.54.33

 

Park Place Motorcars Grapevine:

Matthew McPherson, New Car Sales Director at, (817) 310-7361; MMcPherson@10.2.54.33

Joseph Turner, Lead Pre-Owned Sales Manager at, (817) 310-7362; JTurner@10.2.54.33

Park Place Motorcars Arlington at Your Service

An exciting occasion for the Park Place family, as Park Place Motorcars Arlington– our 18th dealership in North Texas, opened its doors on Monday, November 2nd. Construction on the new, two-story dealership kicked off in summer 2014.

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Park Place Motorcars Arlington is a stunning, multi-million dollar state-of-the-art facility featuring two Mercedes-Benz showrooms designed to showcase 16 new vehicles.

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The 91,000-square-foot dealership has plenty of automobiles as well as amenities.
Don’t miss a beat when you take your vehicle in for service. The shop is equipped with 35 service bays and 10 make-ready bays, as well as several beautifully appointed client lounges complete with TVs, Wi-Fi, and several personal work stations; there’s even snacks, and a private playroom for the kids.

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Next year, Mercedes-Benz will introduce 10 new vehicles, including a new 4-door mid-sized SUV, several new diesel models, a plug-in hybrid C-Class, and a sleek new SLK roadster.

Come see us and experience Park Place Motorcars Arlington, located at 4201 Beltway Place off Interstate 20. We look forward to seeing you!

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For New Car Sales inquiries, please contact News Car Sales Director, Richard Wasson (RWasson@10.2.54.33).

For Pre-Owned Sales, please contact Pre-Owned Sales Director, Joel Moss (JMoss@10.2.54.33).

The Parts and Service Departments are open Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Showroom is open 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday.

Meet the Man Behind the Wheel of Park Place Motorcars Arlington

A spontaneous decision during a visit to Park Place 15-years ago, led to a life-changing opportunity for Hesham Elgaghil, General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.  Inspired by the beautiful cars and the world-class people at the dealership, Hesham wanted to become a part of this amazing organization he only saw a glimpse of. He decided to apply for a job and let fate take its course. Park Place Dealerships took a chance on Hesham, although he didn’t have any experience in sales or in the car-business, his background spoke volumes on his behalf and Park Place believed in him.

during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas on September 27, 2015. (AP Photo/ Michael Ainsworth)
Hesham grew up in Dallas- Fort Worth. A graduate of Richland High School, he went on to get his Bachelor’s Degree at Southwestern University, where he excelled in academics and basketball. After graduating from college, Hesham went to work in Health and Wellness before making the move to the automotive industry.

At Park Place, Hesham embraced his new job as a new car sales consultant so much that he was recognized as Sales Consultant of the Year shortly thereafter.

during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas on September 27, 2015. (AP Photo/ Michael Ainsworth)

Less than 3 years later, he was promoted into management. The position provided him the opportunity to teach others how to build and solidify meaningful relationships. Hesham’s leadership and mentoring skills created the perfect environment for his team and contributed to his overall growth and success.

Hesham’s dedication, hard-work, and exceptional leadership put Park Place Motorcars Dallas on top, ranking in the top 5 amongst Mercedes-Benz dealerships Nationwide year after year.

Today, Hesham has an even bigger role, a role that is the pinnacle of his career and a testament to his hard work and commitment. He is the General Manager of Park Place’s brand new Mercedes-Benz dealership in Arlington.

You never know where your success story will begin, but it always begins with taking a chance.

Mansfield Man Goes from Armored Cars to Luxury Vehicles

Transitioning from Staff Sergeant of an armored Cavalry brigade to a new car sales experience manager might seem like a leap, but not to Bryan Woodard of Mansfield. “If I learned one thing in the Army it was to be adaptable,” explained Woodard. Now a new car sales experience manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington, Woodard has turned his attention to helping others. Woodard grew up in Arlington and graduated from Mansfield Summit High School in 2004. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Cavalry Scout in 2006 and deployed for a 15-month tour of Mosul, Iraq. His first assignment was in a scout platoon with I Troop 3/3 Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. Over the next nine years, Woodard would complete two more tours of duty in the Middle East, rise up the ranks to a Staff Sergeant (E-6), and teach marksmanship to Basic Trainees.

Each client’s situation is different. So I need to be flexible to help them figure out what will best fit their personal needs.”   Woodard has his work cut out for him. Mercedes-Benz is introducing 10 new vehicles in 2016: including a new 4-door mid-sized SUV, several new diesel models, a plug-in hybrid C-Class and a sleek new SLK roadster. “With all the different products and price ranges, there’s really no ‘typical’ Mercedes-Benz client,” said Woodard. “We see everyone from first-time car buyers to long-time clients buying cars for their kids or grandkids.”

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Opening November 2, Park Place Motorcars Arlington is the 18th dealership for Park Place and will be located on Interstate 20 and Beltway Place. The company recently launched a new program that simplifies the purchase experience for the client and will be available the first day the dealership opens.   “I’m very excited about Park Place’s new “One Touch experience,” said Woodard. “When a client comes to Park Place, the sales experience manager will help the client through the entire process; from the initial welcome and finding the right vehicle to meet their specific needs to making the numbers work, all the way through the contracts and driving out with their new car.  This is going to be a game changer for the automobile industry.

Woodard and his wife, Kalee, who also grew up in Arlington, were childhood friends. They married in 2010, and have a two-year-old daughter (Monroe) and another girl due in January.   Employing those who served our country and are now ready to serve the Mercedes-Benz community, is just one of many intriguing stories you’ll find among the “Experts in Excellence” at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S Named 2015 Best Driver’s Car

Motor Trend has selected the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S as its 2015 Best Driver’s Car.

The Mercedes-AMG GT S has the sharpest, most precise steering we have ever felt on any Mercedes or AMG vehicle,” said MOTOR TREND editor-in-chief Ed Loh. “It makes massive power from a compact, high-tech turbocharged V-8 engine. What most impressed my team is how well the GT S was able to combine these elements. It put all 503 of its horsepower to the ground like an all-wheel-drive supercar and gripped the road through high-speed corners like a winged racer.”

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To determine the 2015 Best Driver’s Car, each of this year’s competitors was driven on the open road and track-tested at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to discover the one vehicle that offers enthusiasts the most engaging and rewarding driving experience possible. In addition to the hot laps and road loops, a full suite of performance data was collected and evaluated by the MOTOR TREND team using some of the industry’s most advanced equipment.

From its powerful new AMG 4.0 liter V8 biturbo engine, lightweight aluminum construction, optimum weight distribution and highly emotional design, this dream car is the culmination of a triumphant motorsport heritage and an unwavering focus to consistently deliver the AMG brand promise of Driving Performance on every level,” said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA.

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Established in 2009, the Best Driver’s Car competition is a massive six-day production that includes a staff of 25 editors, photographers, video producers, and championship-winning race driver Randy Pobst, all deployed to properly test, review, and film a 10-car field of the year’s highest-performing sports sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and roadsters.

Our 2015 Best Driver’s Car competition saw the return of some true legends, including a 650-hp Corvette Z06; the fourth-generation definition of lightweight driving fun, the Mazda MX-5; and latest, greatest version of a previous winner, the Porsche Cayman GT4,” said Loh. “But the newcomer Mercedes-AMG GT S bested them all with its combination of breathtaking power, endless grip, and soul-stirring handling. Congratulations to the Mercedes-AMG GT S, MOTOR TREND’s Best Driver’s Car for 2015.”

 

New Mercedes-Benz Model Names

The Mercedes-Benz model portfolio has expanded rapidly in recent years and continues to grow. This results in an increasingly complex situation when it comes to naming the various models. “After more than 20 years of continuity involving some of the most recognized and successful product names in the world, we are now making our system of vehicle nomenclature even more understandable,” said Dr. Jens Thiemer, Head of Marketing Communications for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. Bearing in mind the international appeal of our brand, our plan has been to devise an even simpler, more transparent and more logical system for the designations of our model series, with the aim of providing clear orientation for our customers.

The model designation is always an acronym made up of between one and three upper-case letters. The system centers around the five core model series, A, B, C, E and S, which will continue to be used to provide orientation for our customers.

New nomenclature Mercedes-Benz model series

In the case of the model designations for the SUVs, in a tribute to the legendary G-Class, all SUV models will in the future have the first two letters “GL” in their name. The “G” here denotes the car’s lineage. The “L” is a letter that appears time and time again over the history of Mercedes-Benz. It is a linking letter that makes the model designations easier to remember and easier to pronounce; one that is familiar from the legendary SL, for example, or from the more recent CLS and CLA. It is followed by the third letter, which indicates the relationship to the relevant core model series.

In specific terms:

GLA = GL A-Class

GLC = GL C-Class; previously GLK

GLE = GL E-Class; previously M-Class or ML

GLE Coupé = GL E-Class Coupé

GLS = GL S-Class; previously GL

G = unchanged

The system for the 4-door Coupés is constructed along similar lines. The first two letters, “CL”, denote the origin, the third letter the link to one of the core model series: in other words CLA, or CLS. From 2016 on the Roadsters will all include “SL” in their names to denote their origin, with the third letter again the link to one of the core model series. The SLK therefore becomes the new SLC. As in the case of the G, the SL retains its designation in recognition of its iconic status.